Thomas Heyward Academy's headmaster supports armed staff

The school shooting in Newtown, Conn., raised John Rogers’ ire, and the Thomas Heyward Academy headmaster believes there’s a way to keep students safe — armed employees.

Rogers, who will retire this year after 37 years at the school, is “very much” in favor of having two employees at the Ridgeland private school be trained in handling firearms.

“I think the only thing that really works is having somebody on campus to take out a shooter,” Rogers said.

Rogers said the trained personnel would be those who are on campus throughout the day and early evening, such as coaches or custodians. He said he plans to talk about his ideas with the school’s board of directors at its Monday meeting.

Rogers said hiring a law enforcement officer would be expensive and could lead to having to cut a teacher or classroom equipment.

“That’s something for the board to decide, but I wouldn’t want to accept an extra cost,” Rogers said.

When asked how soon he’d like to have trained employees on campus, Rogers said, “Yesterday.”

Rogers said even a quick response from law enforcement if an incident developed at the school might not save lives.

“They could get here as quick as they could, but that’s at least five minutes. How many people can be killed in five minutes? A lot,” said Rogers, who noted he has a weapon in his car’s glove compartment.

Some Thomas Heyward parents support Rogers.

“I wouldn’t have a problem dropping my 12-year-old off and seeing a teacher have an AK-47 strapped to her back for protection,” said Paul Pender, whose 12- and 16-year-old children attend the school.

Deak Malphrus, whose 6-year-old daughter attends the school, said he isn’t concerned about safety at Thomas Heyward, but he “wouldn’t have a problem” having armed employees.

Rogers thinks most parents support his thinking.

“I can’t imagine anyone not supporting it,” he said. “If we don’t, then we are at the mercy of the invader.”

Girls basketball coach Gary Mazzanna agrees with having an armed person at school, but thinks the person should have law enforcement experience.

“There needs to be someone at school as a deterrent, but it should be an officer who’s equipped,” he said.

Kim Jungblut, whose daughter is a senior at Thomas Heyward, agrees with Mazzanna. “Anything that could protect kids, I would want to help, but I’d rather have someone with a little more experience,” she said.

Marilyn Davis, who is assistant Head of School and Head of Lower School at Pinewood Preparatory School in Summerville and will begin her tenure as THA’s Head of School in June, said it would be “premature” to give her opinion.

According to Rogers, the school would follow protocol if an intruder is on campus. A code word would be announced on the intercom and all rooms would be locked down.

In his years at Thomas Heyward, Rogers said he couldn’t think of a time when a gun was brought to school or if an intruder was on campus.

All visitors are asked to sign-in at the school’s main entrance, but there are about 12 entrances at Thomas Heyward.

“We got more nuts running around now,” Rogers said. “We try to keep doors closed, but it’s unrealistic to have every door in the school locked. Somebody wanting to get in will get in.”

In December, state Rep. Phillip Lowe, R-Florence authored a bill that would allow public school employees with concealed weapons permits and no history of violence to carry guns in the state’s schools. The bill has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee.